The next day Sage arrived at the Zhu Clan and gave his name for the appointment he had. A servant took him into the compound and led him towards the meeting. As he walked the halls, he was stunned. This place was magnificent. Wide halls with exquisitely carved and crafted wood pillars, beams, and trim. They weren’t inlaid with jewels or precious metals, that would be ostentatious. Instead, this place oozed expensive taste. Instead of gaudy inlays, the wood was intricately carved with incredibly detailed scenes out of paintings and murals. The wood itself gave off a richly aged aroma mixed with the smell of preserving oils. The wood was carefully stained and from the shine was kept freshly oiled and perfectly maintained.
This same sort of aesthetic was present in all of the decorations. Simple, but of the most extreme level of quality and craftsmanship as well as being kept in immaculate and like new condition. It was very different from the very imposing decor back in the Lang Clan, the utilitarian designs in the Holy Flame Sect, the simplicity of the Timeless Master’s cave, and refreshing in comparison to Peak Master Zhen’s den. Sage was soon left within a small hall, even more impressive than the hallways and room’s he’d passed on the way, yet at the same time more intimate. The objects in here were even more extreme than the others he passed. It looked like a large parlor with a few chairs arranged for meeting with people, along with tables to hold tea and set of couches in the back of the room for a more intimate discussion.
Sage wasn’t trained in such areas, but even he could tell that the wood used in the chairs, the cloth for the cushions, and pottery of the tea set were absolutely what could be called priceless heirlooms for most people. As a cultivator his powers of perception were many times higher than a regular person and he could tell these things all looked very similar if not better than the things he’d seen in the antique shop of the Servant’s District back in the Holy Flame Sect. He’d read the description plaques on those items and was impressed by their quality, even if he had no use for such expensive versions of mundane items. It seems the Zhu Clan just set these levels of items out to impress their guests. After a few minutes, a small group of people arrived. A half dozen servants came in like a gentle breeze, opening the doors and windows, setting up a few vases filled with flower bouquets and then lining up on the walls to stand stiff as statues.
Sage looked towards the doorway to look at two people that weren’t dressed as the servants and instead in delicate finery. Just like the rest of this home they dressed simply, a style only slightly more elaborate than most commoners, but as before a close look dispelled those illusions. The fabric and trim used in their outfits were treasures, Sage recognized a half dozen different parts that came from rank 3 and 4 Demonic Beasts making up their two outfits. These were clothing that would be work by high level cultivators as armor and enhanced by array formations to enhance their abilities. Yet, from what Sage could see, these two had these amazing materials just stitched into ordinary clothing. Of course, they were made by outstanding craftsmen. Perhaps they were such masterpieces that Sage couldn’t even make out the arrays on them.
Lowering his head, Sage bowed to the two. They looked quite like a couple. The man was in front and a woman was following barely a half step behind him and to his side. Of course, like most everyone he’d met in this world they were all dark of hair and eye, but they both looked quite refined and graceful in their movements and mannerisms.
“Greetings. My name is Lang Sheng. Thank you to the honorable members of the Zhu Clan for agreeing to meet with me.”
The two lowered their heads, a bow, but nowhere near as deep as Sage’s had been. They didn’t really know who he was after all. A guard had merely arranged for a meeting, which usually meant someone had given a substantial ‘gift’, the usual method to gain an audience without having a big name behind you.
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“I am Zhu Yating and this is Zhu Su. Why have you come to meet with us, Lang Sheng?”
The man returned his greeting without any special courtesies or politeness, but at least it didn’t display any arrogance or insults. It seemed this Zhu Clan knew how to conduct themselves. They didn’t know anything about him so it was only natural they stayed completely neutral.
“It is my pleasure to meet you, Zhu Yating and Zhu Su. I am here to ensure the future of my clan to arrange a marriage. Normally such a thing should be done by my seniors, but unfortunately, my clan was nearly destroyed. Instead I come on behalf of my ancestors.”
Merely talking wouldn’t convince anyone of anything. As he spoke he saw that even though the two of them still had a pleasant look on their faces, he could see a hint of ridicule in their eyes. From the information he gathered on his way here, the Zhu clan was famous for producing beautiful women with exquisite skills. Painters, Musicians, Dancers, Singers, and many other desirable skills could all be found among their ladies. The methods of marrying them were also quite varied. The most skilled and talented had to be wooed, showering them with gifts and competing with other young men to try and win their affection after each of their performances. Sage thought it was quite similar to those tv talent shows crossed with an auction. There were also other routes, one of which he heard was to give them a substantial ‘gift’. Right now, Sage was guessing the two were waiting for him to bring out his money and see what level of girl he could be betrothed to.
Sage disappointed them as he instead brought forth that jade scroll he received in the tomb and carefully handed it over to Zhu Yating, “This is the orders of my ancestor.”
Zhu Yating seemed slightly taken aback. This guy didn’t even bring out a gift? Then he handed over a simple scroll like that could solve everything? When Zhu Yating sent his senses into the scroll his body shook and he looked glad to be sitting on a chair. His face grew solemn and he hand the scroll over to Zhu Su, that sat next to him. Zhu Su did almost the same action, wavering upon her seat before staring at Sage. Sage smiled pleasantly, looking directly at Zhu Su and not Zhu Yating.
“Is that enough to get me another meeting, Madam?”
Sage seemed to be completely ignoring Zhu Yating at this moment and watching the look in Zhu Su’s eyes. This world was just like other ancient societies in that it was mostly a man’s world. The ones with more strength would be the ones in charge in most non-civilized worlds and this one he was in was only civilized on the surface. He’d seen more than a few times where the strength of one’s fist was what determined right and wrong in this land. Sage had been lucky enough to stay removed from the world and hide himself away in his Sect, but that didn’t mean he was unfamiliar with its ways.
It wasn’t quite as chauvinistic as ancient earth had been, because anyone could become a cultivator. Women could be just as powerful as men could. That said, the majority of cultivator’s were still men. It was just like it was in the modern world, many people would choose the easiest path in life. Why struggle and suffer to become a cultivator when you could just live a normal life? Why fight so hard to have a career if you could just get married and start a family? It wasn’t that they couldn’t do it, it was just easier not to. Less women became cultivator’s than men did, and so it was still somewhat biased in those regards.
On the other hand, Sage knew from that jade scroll that the Zhu clan was one of the rare groups that was in opposition to that normal rule. Just like there was actually many sects which only women were allowed to join, there was also clans that turned the normal rules on their head. The Zhu clan was a matriarchal group, their true leaders were actually the women of the clan. The men were merely figureheads and foot soldiers. They served the women of the clan. The Zhu clan married into other families to build their wealth and extend their control. Every major clan and organization in the whole province had at least one or two of the Zhu clan’s women married into. Each of them an informant and carefully whispering into their rich husband’s ears.
Zhu Su finally laughed and smiled at Sage, “What an interesting Lang Sheng, and what an interesting scroll. I’ll send it along to who needs to see it.”
Sage bowed gratefully and then smiled back at Zhu Su, “Thank you, Madam.”